Jaguar is on a record breaking binge

11.03.2015

Following the success of setting a land speed record at the end of February with the new Jaguar F-Type Coupe R, Jaguar has decided to set some more South African land speed records with some other models as well.

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When Jaguar South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa set out to officially record the top speed for the F-TYPE R Coupé, at the end of February, they also used the opportunity to write class records with the XF 2.2D, XJ 3.0D, and F-TYPE S Convertible. Driven by an A-team of race drivers – Dawie Olivier, Brian Hastie, and JP Joubert – the prowl of Jaguars dominated the 4 900m runway at the Upington Airport, led by the F-TYPE R Coupé.

The XF 2.2D, boasting an efficient 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine with outputs of 140kW and 450Nm, crossed the line at a speed of 211.01km/h on the flying kilometre. It wrote a record for production cars with turbo or supercharged diesel engines between 2.0- and 2.5-litres in capacity.

The ultra-refined and luxurious Jaguar XJ also made an appearance. Its 202kW, 600Nm 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine helped the executive limousine steam up the runway to a top speed of 235.54km/h – a class record for production vehicles with turbo or supercharged diesel engines between 2.5- and 3.0-litres.

Joining in on the action was the Jaguar F-TYPE S Convertible. With a howling, supercharged 3.0-litre V6 engine, boasting outputs of 280kW and 460Nm, a class record of 262.26km/h was set (production vehicles with turbo or supercharged petrol engines between 2.5- and 3.0-litres). To prove that the vehicle is just as capable and safe with the top down, a second, unofficial run recorded a speed of 254.88km/h.

The technical team is also proud of its own, internal project: a 2003 Jaguar XJR that’s been stripped out and race prepped, and aptly named “The Beast”. To top off a weekend of successful running at the Upington runway, The Beast set its own class record at 237.13km/h – for modified vehicles with supercharged engines between 3- and 5-litres in capacity.

“We are proud that we’ve been able to put the F-TYPE R’s stablemates on the board, to write records in their respective classes – and fly the Jaguar flag with even more pride,” said Mallett. “After all, racing is in Jaguar’s blood, and we cannot think of a better way to prove that statement.”

We are pretty sure that in setting these records Jaguar has set the challenge for some other brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. It will make for an interesting fight.

Article written by Autodealer
11.03.2015

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